How to Apply for Food Stamps in Texas

The Texas food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, allows individuals and families with low income to buy foods that can help them maintain good health. There are three ways to apply for SNAP benefits in Texas: online, in person, or via mail.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Applying Online

  1. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 1
    1
    Verify that you meet the eligibility requirements for SNAP. Applicants must be qualified United States citizens, reside in the state of Texas, and generate low monthly income.[1] Families must meet the following maximum monthly income limits:
    • One family member: $1,619 maximum monthly income
    • Two family members: $2,191 maximum monthly income
    • Three family members: $2,763 maximum monthly income
    • Four family members: $3,3335 maximum monthly income
    • Five family members: $3,907 maximum monthly income
    • Additional family members: $572 per month
  2. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 2
    2
    Navigate to the Your Texas Benefits website at https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/ssp/SSPHome/ssphome.jsp and click on “Apply for Benefits.”
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 3
    3
    Click on “Set up account,” and follow the on-screen instructions to create a username and password for the site. You must register for an account to apply for SNAP online. After you’ve created an account, the application form will display on-screen.
  4. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 4
    4
    Fill out all required fields in sections A through J on the SNAP application form. You are required to provide personal information for all family members, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, addresses, marriage and education statuses, and contact information. You are also required to disclose whether your household has any pregnant women or military personnel, and whether any residents need help with job interviews.
  5. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 5
    5
    Fill out all required fields in sections K through T on the SNAP application form. You are required to provide information about existing health insurance policies, medical bills, vehicles owned by family members, bank account information, housing costs, and the amount of income being provided by all family members.
  6. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 6
    6
    Read and sign sections U through W on the SNAP application form. These sections include legal information and the Statement of Understanding, which ensures you understand the rules, policies, and benefits associated with SNAP.
  7. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 7
    7
    Click on “Submit” at the end of the form to submit your online SNAP application to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which then forwards your information to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Your application will be processed as soon as it is received, and you will receive the Lone Star Card in the mail shortly after your application is approved by the USDA.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Applying in Person

  1. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 8
    1
    Verify that you meet the eligibility requirements for SNAP. Applicants must be qualified United States citizens, reside in the state of Texas, and generate low monthly income.[2] Families must meet the following maximum monthly income limits:
    • One family member: $1,619 maximum monthly income
    • Two family members: $2,191 maximum monthly income
    • Three family members: $2,763 maximum monthly income
    • Four family members: $3,3335 maximum monthly income
    • Five family members: $3,907 maximum monthly income
    • Additional family members: $572 per month
  2. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 9
    2
    Visit a Texas Food Bank Network Provider in your local area. A provider will assist you with filling out the SNAP application in person, and provide you with additional information about the SNAP program.[3]
  3. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 10
    3
    Fill out all required fields in sections A through J on the SNAP application form. You are required to provide personal information for all family members, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, addresses, marriage and education statuses, and contact information. You are also required to disclose whether your household has any pregnant women or military personnel, and whether any residents need help with job interviews.
  4. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 11
    4
    Fill out all required fields in sections K through T on the SNAP application form. You are required to provide information about existing health insurance policies, medical bills, vehicles owned by family members, bank account information, housing costs, and the amount of income being provided by all family members.
  5. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 12
    5
    Read and sign sections U through W on the SNAP application form. These sections provide legal information and the Statement of Understanding, which ensures you understand the rules, policies, and benefits associated with SNAP.
  6. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 13
    6
    Turn in the finished SNAP application to the Texas Food Bank Network Provider. The representative will forward your SNAP application to the USDA. After your application is processed and approved, the USDA will send the Lone Star Card to your residential address.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Applying Via Mail

  1. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 14
    1
    Verify that you meet the eligibility requirements for SNAP. Applicants must be qualified United States citizens, reside in the state of Texas, and generate low monthly income. Families must meet the following maximum monthly income limits:
    • One family member: $1,619 maximum monthly income
    • Two family members: $2,191 maximum monthly income
    • Three family members: $2,763 maximum monthly income
    • Four family members: $3,3335 maximum monthly income
    • Five family members: $3,907 maximum monthly income
    • Additional family members: $572 per month
  2. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 15
    2
    Print out the SNAP application form. This form can be mailed directly to an office that will process and forward your SNAP application to the USDA for review.
    • If you do not have access to a printer, request that the SNAP application be mailed to your residence. Go to the Your Texas Benefits website at https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/ssp/SSPHome/ssphome.jsp, click on “Get a paper form” at the bottom of the page, then select “Ask to have the forms mailed to you.” Alternately, call 211 or 1-877-541-7905 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday to request a copy of the SNAP application.[5]
  3. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 16
    3
    Fill out all required fields in sections A through J on the SNAP application form. You are required to provide personal information for all family members, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, addresses, marriage and education statuses, and contact information. You are also required to disclose whether your household has any pregnant women or military personnel, and whether any residents need help with job interviews.
  4. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 17
    4
    Fill out all required fields in sections K through T on the SNAP application form. You are required to provide information about existing health insurance policies, medical bills, vehicles owned by family members, bank account information, housing costs, and the amount of income being provided by all family members.
  5. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 18
    5
    Read and sign sections U through W on the SNAP application form. These sections provide legal information and the Statement of Understanding, which ensures you understand the rules, policies, and benefits associated with SNAP.
  6. Image titled Apply for Food Stamps in Texas Step 19
    6
    Send the SNAP application to the nearest Texas Health and Human Services Commission office in your area. After your application is processed and approved, the USDA will have the Lone Star Card sent to your residential address.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    If a woman is pregnant, does that qualify as 2 people?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. An unborn child is not counted as a another person until birth.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • In some cases, you may be asked to provide documents for proof of income, identity, residence, and medical and housing costs. Keep this factor in mind when applying for SNAP, and know that your benefits may not be approved until you provide proof in the form of documentation to the USDA.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Check Food Stamp Balance OnlineEasy Options to Manage Your Food Stamp (SNAP) Benefits Online
Cancel Snap Benefits Online
How to
Cancel Snap Benefits Online
Check Your EBT Balance
How to
Check Your EBT Balance
Transfer Food Stamps to Another State
How to
Transfer Food Stamps to Another State
Report Food Stamp FraudHow to Report Food Stamp (SNAP) Fraud
Calculate Amount of Food Stamps
How to
Calculate Amount of Food Stamps
Apply for Food Stamps in Florida
How to
Apply for Food Stamps in Florida
Apply for the Link Card in Illinois
How to
Apply for the Link Card in Illinois
Check Your WIC Benefits in Texas
How to
Check Your WIC Benefits in Texas
Cancel WIC Benefits
How to
Cancel WIC Benefits
Report a Stolen EBT Card
How to
Report a Stolen EBT Card
Apply for Food Stamps in Maryland
How to
Apply for Food Stamps in Maryland
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1348
  2. ↑ https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1348
  3. ↑ http://www.benefitsapplication.com/apply/TX/Food%20Stamps
  4. ↑ https://yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas.gov/apply/how-to-apply
  5. ↑ http://yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas.gov/apply/how-to-apply

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 34,825 times.
15 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: September 16, 2020
Views: 34,825
Categories: Food Assistance Programs
Article SummaryX

To apply online for food stamps in Texas, make sure you’re eligible for the SNAP program, which requires that you’re a qualified U.S. citizen, a Texas resident, and that you meet the income limit. Next, go to Your Texas Benefits website and click on “Apply for Benefits.” Register for an account and fill out all fields in sections A through T on the application form. Prepare to provide personal information about you and your family, including social security numbers, housing costs, and bank account information. Finally, read and sign the Statement of Understanding and click submit. For more advice, like how to apply over the phone, keep reading!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement